I don't understand why on earth we should put our 1st XV whereas they won't. their staff and supporters are aware that only top 14 matters when you arrive from prod2
Simple as that

pinky wrote:

swift4prez wrote: If he named that team on a Friday for Saturdays game, I would not show up.

Don't be melodramatic Swifty, we all know you'd show up even if Fourdogs was propping and the second row pairing was me and Connolly

1 fourdogs
2 ummm
3 shelflife
4 sea point
5 sol
6 misfits
7 wp rathead
8 swift4prez

9 Connolly
10 connacht cows
11 decadanace
12 drop the claw
13 imf
14 overstrander
15 pinky

This is a team that would put "the fear of God" into any team. I've picked people I've met and think would fit right into each place.

connachtexile wrote: Is seriously think we need a poll here! Eagles vs Seniors who would you pick? For me I'd go with Connachta's team.

Lam couldn't in all seriousneess put out a team like Connachta suggested: of what we have available, only 3 of this first XV selection - Loughs, Delahunt, McSharry - are genuine first teamers. (You could argue Browne is there or thereabouts, but according to the reports I've seen Browne was a late withdrawal from the Eagles so it's moot).

So for one of our home "A" games (Europe and home interpros) we roll out the red carpet and hand over our unbeaten home record? If we blow this we could finish the finish the first block of the season with three successive defeats (Exeter and Ospresy away to follow) and a won 4 lost 4 record. We need to keep the momentum going.

We've started 26 different players and used over 30 this season so players are being managed as regards game time. The 23 will be largely as per this week, with possible returnees White, Harris-Wright, and Browne maybe making the bench. There are a few players due for a bit of a rest but they won't all be benched or stood down at the same time:
Kearney played 80 this week so Roux and Muldowney might start.
Muldoon is due some downtime but that really depends on Browne and Faloon's fitness.
Marmion and Henshaw are due a rest, but if Uncle Joe has asked Lam to rest them against Ospreys they'll start this week and next.
Carty is due to be rotated and Ronaldson could do with some gametime at 10.
Lastly Leader is also due a rest but after his performance last w/e you'd be a brave or foolish man to make that change.

Brive 37 - 15 Stade Rochelais
Grenoble 30 - 12 Stade Rochelais
Paris 43 - 10 Stade Rochelais

They're not N-Z away from home yet

connachtexile wrote: Is seriously think we need a poll here! Eagles vs Seniors who would you pick? For me I'd go with Connachta's team.

No need. Pat lam said Friday he will take this seriously, do you honestly think lam is the type of guy who risks losing?
I've seen la Rochelle about 4 times this season, twice at home, twice away
They have a budget of at least 15million, they would send the whole of the first team that connachta has named back out the gate. They have huge huge players. Rodney looks like he hasn't eaten in a month compared to some of there players

If we lose Saturday, we are out of the challenge cup. If we lose vs Exeter too, then I expect to use the Eagles team to play the other 4 games.

pinky wrote:

swift4prez wrote: If he named that team on a Friday for Saturdays game, I would not show up.

Don't be melodramatic Swifty, we all know you'd show up even if Fourdogs was propping and the second row pairing was me and Connolly

He'd like swift4prez and the president for Swift in 2nd row :woohoo: :lol:

swift4prez wrote: If he named that team on a Friday for Saturdays game, I would not show up.

Don't be melodramatic Swifty, we all know you'd show up even if Fourdogs was propping and the second row pairing was me and Connolly

ConnachtCows wrote: I'd go with something like



Muldoon
Masterson
McKeon

As each of them can play 6,7 or 8, can you precise?

And Muldoon really, really need a rest, especially with Browne back

I'd go with something like

Loughney
Delahunt
Ah You

Swift
Kearney

Muldoon
Masterson
McKeon

Cooney
Nikora

Carr
McSharry
Leader
Niyi

Layden

It's not black or white, it's about finding the best mix, protecting our key players

Mcsharry, Swift, Loughney, Layden, Browne and even Cooney are not Eagles

Is seriously think we need a poll here! Eagles vs Seniors who would you pick? For me I'd go with Connachta's team.

So you agree with my teamsheet for the forwarad+SH, but not entirely for the backs?

I think the key is to be smart about rotation.

For example
Front Row: Dennis Buckley has clocked up a lot of minutes, give Ronan Loughney the start here.
Second Row: Not many options here and Quinn Roux off at Christmas so we can't keep flogging the same 2/3 here. Qualter or Swifty to get a start here. Andrew Browne was 2nd row for Eagles today so maybe that's being looked at.
Back Row: I'd give Muldoon the evening off, he's too long on the road to be playing 9 weeks in a row.
Scrum Half: If Kieran Marmion is going to be gone for November (and considering one of the matches is v Georgia its likely he will be) we need to have a look at Porter or Cooney. Those matches in November are of critical importance.

There is another few positions we could switch up imo but for me those changes need to be the minimum. 5 is what we all want from this one but its week 7 of 9 next Saturday. Exeter away is a game we need a return from even if its only a losing bonus point. Exeter are flying high and tough opponents at home and the week after its away to Ospreys so a bit of squad management needed to try and meet our aims for those games.

swift4prez wrote: Pat lam has said that he will be aiming to make the final of the challenge cup at least. He will send out his strongest team
If he named that team on a Friday for Saturdays game, I would not show up. It would be taking the piss out of the fans.

Agree with Swift4prez, I understand and apprciate the need to manage players and the amount of games they play, but this group might come own to points and home wins. Last thing we need in a Ulster moment. Nothing less than a BP win on Sat. Whatever team is needed to get that is the correct pick.

tt's NOT a selection to give up Challenge Cup, it's just adapted to a weak and away La rochelle

1) Lougney = played well for the last 3
2) Delahaunt = starter against treviso
3) Bealham
4) Swift = should be ok, ins't he Swif4prez
5) Qualter = played well against allmighty Clermont
6) Browne = a regular starter back, Muldoon rested
7) Fafita (J.Connelly came out injured today, hope he's ok...) = No other choice but to preserve Faloon and McKeon after Heenan injury
8 ) Masterson = was great with Eagles, played pro 12 last April
9) Cooney = appreciated in Leinster
10) Nikora = know how to handle those kind of games
11) Carr = ok
12) McSharry = ok
13) O'Leary = has to play at times
14) Gaffney = good potential
15) Layden = played 2 games already

So yes, It's a correct team to win this

I'd agree with connachta with his team selection, it's horses for courses for this match at least, the following week will be a lot tougher but for this week this is an excellent opportunity to throw in some of the Eagles. althought the eagles play the following day